Extracted from a tree known as “Henna” is an essential oil referred to as Henna Oil. This oil is derived from a “dye” obtained from a plant belonging to the “Lawsonia inermis” species in the plant kingdom. Furthermore, this oil is basically extracted from the leaves and twigs of the plant using a process known as “steam distillation”. In addition, this oil has been used for over thousand years in the Asian cultures especially in countries such as India.
A. Chemical constituents of Henna Oil:
This oil is basically extracted from a “dye” derived from a plant known as “Henna tree” belonging to a species known as “Lawsonia inermis” within the plant kingdom. In addition, this oil also consists of organic compounds such as ethyl hexadecanoate, methyl cinnamate, isocaryophyllene, ß-ionone and methyl linolenate.
B. The uses and benefits of Henna Oil:
There are number of benefits related to health that one can acquire by using this essential oil. However, one should also consider the adverse reactions or side effects reported from its use:
1. Anti-inflammatory:
This oil comprises of a medicinal property that helps in suppressing inflammation or swelling in the body, and thereby serves as an anti-inflammatory.
2. Analgesic:
This oil also consists of a curative property that helps in providing relief from pain caused by headaches, and thereby serves as an analgesic.
3. Hair health:
This oil also contains a medicinal property that ensures the maintenance of good hair health by preventing dandruff, and also by inhibiting the process of hair loss.
3. Astringent:
This oil when used also helps in inhibiting wrinkles formed on skin and reduces aging, thereby serving as an astringent.
4. Hypnotic:
This oil when used is also capable of inducing sleep in those individuals who are “insomniac”, and thereby serves as a hypnotic.
C. The adverse effects of Henna Oil:
There is one major adverse effect that could occur on using this essential oil. It is as follows:
- The use of this oil could lead to allergic reactions such as rashes on the skin especially in a few individuals possessing sensitive skin.
